​Clipper 2019-20 Race Crew #ReasonToRace: Eve Ashforth

“If you’re
going to take a few steps into the unknown you might as well jump and see what
happens.”

Meet
28-year-old Eve, an A&E Nurse from Yorkshire, UK, who is set to become a
familiar face of the Clipper 2019-20 Race after the future circumnavigator had
the chance to take part in a recent Musto photoshoot ahead of today’s Technical
Clothing Partner announcement.

We
catch up with Eve to find out about her #ReasonToRace.

Name:
Eve Ashforth

Age:
28

Occupation:
A&E Nurse

Nationality:
British

Hometown:
York, UK

Legs:
Full Circumnavigation

“These opportunities don’t always come around so I wanted to grab it
with both hands!” says
Eve, who decided to sign up for the Clipper Race to prove to herself that she
could achieve anything.

It
was Eve’s Mother that first told her about the Clipper Race and she will be
racing for both of them when she embarks on the 40,000 nautical mile
circumnavigation next summer. Eve explains: “I found out after I applied that my
Mother originally wanted to take on this challenge but was unable to fulfil her
dream when she found out she was pregnant with me. It seems quite surreal that
I should therefore be taking this challenge, not only for me but for her too.”

Like
some 40 per cent of Clipper Race crew, Eve had never stepped foot on a yacht
before signing up to take part in the epic challenge. Eve says: “Many of my
friends ask me if I have a boat or am already a great sailor. When I explain
the reality, that I am a complete newcomer to the sport, they are somewhat
shocked!”

Whilst
new to sailing, Eve certainly isn’t new to a challenge and has already had good
practice at going without luxuries. She explains: “A couple of years ago I
spent three months living on a beach in Mexico learning to dive in order to
monitor coral and fish species of the Yucatan Peninsula.

“Subsequently,
I became a certified rescue diver during that time and showering with a bucket
is thankfully something that isn’t new to me!”

Eve,
like every Clipper Race crew member, will need to pass each of the four
gruelling levels of Clipper Race Training before lining up for the start of the
Clipper 2019-20 Race. Having already completed two of the levels, Eve is more
excited than ever for her upcoming adventure. Reflecting on the experience so
far, Eve says: “Considering I have never sailed before, Level 1 was a huge
shock! Excuse the pun, but it was literally like being thrown in the deep end.

“I
am hugely surprised about how much I have learnt in such a short space of time but
it’s definitely not without its challenges. I have also been surprised about
how well my ability has been to bond with people I don’t know and how amazing
the human race is at taking care of each other.

“On
a side note, I have also been surprised at how well I can sleep at a 45-degree
angle and also how many different types of pasta dishes it’s possible to create
with only five ingredients.”

Whilst
Eve, who loves being outside in nature, thinks that keeping morale high during
the extreme conditions will be a challenge, she is really looking forward to
the freedom of being out on the ocean with a group of people that she will have
met as strangers but hopes to leave as family.

When
it comes to her friends and family, Eve has all the support she could hope for.
She says: “My parents are incredibly supportive and without them it wouldn’t be
possible to achieve this amazing adventure. My friends think I am crazy. One of
my friends did once say she lived her life through me because there’s no way
she could do it even if she wanted to due to the prospect being so daunting for
her. Everyone has that one crazy friend I suppose, well I guess that’s me!”

Would
you like to join Eve and hundreds of other non-professional sailors on the
start line of the Clipper 2019-20 Race next summer as they take on one of the
toughest endurance tests on the planet? There is still time to apply and train
for the 2019-20 edition of the race. To join the race, hit the button below.